The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
3-19,1-9AAC
Florida Atlantic University
12-10,4-5AAC
Blazers Secure First AAC Win Over FAU
10/20/2023 10:55:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Volleyball collected their first AAC win of the season versus their former Conference USA foes, Florida Atlantic. The Blazers finished with a 3-1 victory over the Owls in Bartow Arena, snapping their home losing streak. The team sits at 3-19 and 1-9 in conference play.
The Green and Gold finished with three Blazers tallying double-digit kills, one double-double, and one triple-double. UAB put on a defensive outing with a total of 51 digs and 18.5 total blocks as a team, an all-time single-match program record.
IN THE SETS
The Blazers entered the first set with an early lead from FAU before the Blazers tied at four. Eventually, UAB took the lead after a kill from Asli Celikkol and an ace from Jay Collins. However, the set saw three ties before a 6-0 run pushed the Owls ahead 18-13. The Blazers would creep back after a series of blocks for the Green and Gold and attack errors from FAU. The Owls took set one 26-24.
The second and third sets saw a momentum shift on the defensive front from UAB, where the Blazers rallied back from an 8-7 Owl lead with a series of points scored by Mia Reese, Lidya Canturk, and Jay Collins. The Blazers continued the offensive with a 6-1 run, followed by a 5-2 run to take the second.
With an early 4-0 run from the Owls, the Blazers responded with a series of blocks to tie and regain the lead. The Blazers would only post eight kills in the third, with most of their points coming off blocks. The Blazers finished with six total blocks in the third to take the set 25-22.
In the closing set, the Blazers took control and never looked back. Kelsey Smith set it off with a kill to tie before the Blazers added a kill and two blocks to continue the scoring run. FAU would be able to tie twice more, but were unable to keep up with UAB. With the Blazers hitting .351 to the Owls' .244, the Green and Gold collected the set and match, with a 25-21 victory.
IN THE BOX
- The match had 31 tied scores and 14 lead changes throughout the competition.
- The Blazers outhit FAU in three matches of the four. The Green and Gold out-blocked the Owls three to one.
- UAB finished with a new All-Time Single Match record in team total blocks with 18.5. The Blazers bested their prior record from 2022 versus Troy on Sept. 11.
- Kelsey Smith, Mia Reese, and Chloe Rodriguez finished with double-digit kills on the night.
- Smith would finish with her second triple-double of her career with 12 kills, 21 assists, and ten digs.
- Lidya Canturk finished with a double-double, with 19 assists and 11 digs.
- Madison Page and Jay Collins finished with nine blocks each. Collins bested her career-high from 2022 against the same opponent.
UP NEXT
UAB concludes the FAU series taking on the Owls on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 1 p.m. in Bartow Arena.
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